Whether you paint a room yourself or hire it out, you want to
ensure that the job is done properly for best result.

If you are hiring a painter, don't pay until you inspect these
10 key items first.

1. No drips - these should be sanded down and retouched.

2. Even coverage, especially corners and around windows, doors
and ceiling for no light or dark spots.

3. No bleed through of previous paint color or primer. The whole
point of painting was to get rid of the old color.

4. Clean lines where ceiling and trim meet the walls. You don't
want waves or wall color creeping up on the ceiling. Clean,
straight lines.

5. Caulked at trim joints and where trim meets drywall for no
visible gaps.

6. No gaps left between drywall and switch plate and outlet
covers or else the painter will need to spackle and fill it in.
This is a concern on new construction primarily.

7. Windows are scraped clean of overspray if trim is being
sprayed.

8. Faux finishes are evenly distributed in color and texture,
especially in corners, near ceiling and trim.

9. If wallpaper was removed, be sure that all glue is removed and
walls are smooth or your paint won't adhere correctly to the
wall, be bumpy, and generally look terrible.

10. If wallpaper is being hung, be sure that the pattern is
level, matches up properly, is hung in the right direction and
seams are smooth. You don't want a fun house look.

All of these seem common sense, right? But look closely and
carefully in both daylight and artificial light. What looks great
at first blush, may not look so hot once you've paid the
painter, and you really take a close look. Do your own personal
quality control first.

Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and
building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the
work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers,
she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. These
10 tips are just a list of more than 100 she shares in her new
ebook, 10 Things Not to do When Building or Remodeling Your
Home. Contact her to get this 58-page ebook and see her other
remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants
at http://www.myhomeredux.com. Sign up
for her free email
newsletter at:
http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html